The next 100 days

ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa), 19 April 2007

The next 100 days in Neotel’s (SNO’s) history will be marked by the launching of Neotel’s services and the consolidation of progress made earlier this year. This is according to Neotel’s MD, Ajay Pandey.
 
The launching of Neotel’s services will kick off with a trial of their residential offerings this quarter. ‘Pandey made it clear that Neotel will focus on a broadband IP network that will carry voice rather than focusing on voice offerings, the aim is to then try to add data to the mix. This trial will serve to iron out possible technical and other glitches, and also establish what speeds are realistically achievable on the CDMA platform’ (Neotel to trial residential services, MyADSL, 12 April 2007).
 
In other words, some broadband Internet users will soon be able to pre-taste Neotel’s planned broadband services while Neotel gathers valuable information in the process.
 
What’s a CDMA platform?
 
CDMA (CDMA2000 EV-DO) platform refers to the technological platform Neotel will use to deliver many of its services to end users.
 
How high are the downlink speeds that can be reached with this technology?
 
Theoretically just under 5 Mbps.
 
‘CDMA2000 EV-DO, the technology selected by Neotel for delivering many of their services to end users, has the theoretical capability of downlink speeds of just under 5 Mbps. Actual deployments of some Northern American networks have downlink speeds of 2.5 Mbps, but Panday said that they will closely monitor their trial results to develop products with realistic performance indicators’ (Neotel to trial residential services, MyADSL, 12 April 2007).
 
In other words, theoretically it can reach downlink speeds of just under 5 Mbps but in practice downlink speeds of 2.5 Mbps have been reached, which is half the theoretical downlink speeds.
 
When will Neotel’s commercial enterprise voice and data services be launched?
 
These services will be launched in May this year.
 
Any further details on these services?
 
Yes, these services ‘…may include IP/MPLS Virtual Private Networks, Internet, local Ethernet and ISDN PRI and VoIP Access for voice services’ (Neotel to trial residential services, MyADSL, 12 April 2007).
 
In other words, enterprises can expect to see the launch of a variety of voice and data services.
 
How soon after Neotel’s residential trial can commercial offerings be expected?
 
Commercial offerings can be expected in a matter of weeks after the residential trial if no major obstacles are faced during the trial period.
 
Will these commercial offerings be available throughout South Africa?
 
No, at least not initially.
 
‘These commercial offerings will however initially only be available in selected areas where Neotel has a CDMS footprint, but Pandey said that they will definitely expand coverage in these areas as fast as possible’ (Neotel to trial residential services, MyADSL, 12 April 2007).
 
In other words, Neotel’s commercial offerings will initially be limited to certain areas.
 
Which areas will be served during Neotel’s residential trial?
 
Areas in central Johannesburg (Rosebank, Sandton and Bryanston) and central Pretoria will be served during the trial.
 
ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa) wishes Neotel the best of luck in their endeavour to bring us world-class data and voice services.